Kerosene-heater.



W. 1'. GOLD & J. A. BOWYER.

KEROSENE HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 27. 1915.

Patented Oct. 10,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1 W. 1. GOLD & J A. BOWYER.

KEROSENE HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-27,1915.

Patented 0017. 10, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 0., PHOYO LITHOWASNING1ON. n. c

W. J. GOLD (EL 1. A. BOWYER.

KEROSENE HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 21. 1915.

1 2()().,828 Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

' a SHEETS-SHEET 3.

7 III I UNITED STATES PATENT carton.

WILLIAM J. GOLD AND JOHN A. BOWYER, OF SYCAMORE, ILLINOIS.

KEROSENE-HEATER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 10, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM J. GOLD and J OHN A. BOWYER, citizens of the United States, and residents of the city of Sycamore, in the county of Dekalb and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Kerosene-Heaters; and We do hereby declare'that the following description of our said invention, taken in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings, forms a full, clear, and exact specification, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates generally to improvements in kerosene heaters, and it consists, essentially, in the novel and peculiar combination of parts and details of construction, as hereinafter first fully set forth and described and then pointed out in the claims.

The end aimed at and accomplished in our invention isa light, portable, neat and efrlcient heater for rooms and the like which is a entirely self contained; employs kerosene oil fuel, contained in a suitable container embodied in the heater; a device in which perfect combustion is obtained, avoiding thereby the deposit of soot or production of smoke, or offensive odors, and an article in which the intense heat generated is directly projected into the room to be warmed.

In the drawings made a part hereof, which more fully disclose our invention, Figure l is a side view of our kerosene heater as a whole Fig. 2 is a left hand end elevation thereof viewed in the direction of the arrow pointer 2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a right hand end elevation in the direction of the arrow pointer 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is a vertical, longitudinal section in line 1l of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a plan section in line 55 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the kerosene oil reservoir in line 6-6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section of a tubular gas chamber employed in connection with our invention. Fig. 8 is a vertical, longitudinal section of the mixer shell and mixer rings on an enlarged scale. Fig. 9 is a cross section thereof in line 99' of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a modification of the device shown in Figs. 8 and 9, and Fig. 11 is a vertical, transverse section of the heater in line 1111 of Fig. 1.

Like parts are designated by corresponding characters or symbols of reference in all the figures of the drawings.

A indicates our heater as a whole. It is composed of right and left upstanding walls B and B, which walls are essentially oblong in form with their upper rear edges shaped into an arcuate form B toward an open front wall C. These end members 3 and B are preferably frame like structures pro duced from cast metal with integral lower panels 11 and 11 and arcuate upper panels 10 and 10 produced from thin sheet metal, both for lightness and radiating qualities. The lower front and rear corners of the said end members have downwardly protruding feet 12 and 12, leaving there between openings 13 and 13 wherethrough air may pass for purposes to be more fully described. The front wall C is likewise a frame like structure of preferably cast material having a large rectangular opening C in the up er portion thereof and downwardly protruding feet 1 1, leaving an opening 15. The lower part of the front is closed and may be provided with suitable ornamentation to present a pleasing appearance.

The back, indicated by D, of the heater comprises a continuous strip or blank of light sheet metal maintained between the rear edges of the end members B and B and extending around the arcuate portion B up to and abutting the rear face of the top edge of the front wall C as seen in Fig. 1. This blank is fixed in place by suitable screws 16 or like media.

On the inner face of the panel 11 of the end B is located an annular rim 17 and produced in the panel 11 of the end B is a circular opening 18, the said rim and opening coacting to support within the lower part of the heater a fuel tank 19, one end of said tank projecting beyond the structure, as readily seen; for the application thereto of a filling opening and closure 20 and a hand air pump 21, for obvious purposes.

Arranged a short distance above'the tank 19 between the ends B, B, the front G at a level of the lower edge of the opening C therein, and the back D, is a sheet metallic floor E, dividing the interior of the heater A into independentupper and lower compartments, the latter for the fuel tank 19 already described and the former for the reception of the heat generating media now to be disclosed.

It may here be stated that the floor E is formed with a multiplicity of perforations 22, the object of which is as follows. As the heating media generates heat above the floor B, an air circulation through the openings 22 will be created. Free ingress of air into the lower compartment containing the fuel tank 19 being provided for by the air openings 13, 13, and 15 in the front and ends of the structure at the lowest elevation thereof, a constant stream of cool air will flow around and past said tank, upwardly and through the openings 22. In this manner simple means are provided whereby the tank 19 is maintained at a sufficiently low and perfectly safe temperature.

Arising from the interior and near the bottom of the fuel tank 19 is a fuel supply pipe 23, which pipe extends into the upper compartment of the heater a suitable distance, adjacent to the end wall B, and at its upper end is formed into a bend 24, from w hich extends in a horizontal direction a gas generating tube 25. This tube is parallel to the floor E and likewise to the front and rear walls of the heater and preferably centrally of the interior width of the heater. We prefer to produce the generating tube 25, the bend 24, and the supply pipe 23 from a single piece of tubing, but may, if desired, make the same from two pipes of proper length connected by a suitable elbow. Within the generating tube 25 are a plurality of parallel wires 25 to assist in converting the kerosene oil fuel into gas as further explained. At the free end of the generating tube the same is provided with an internally threaded enlargement 26, in engagement with which is a tubular extension 27 of a valve casting F. The interior of this extension terminates in a vertical passage 28, within said casting, and this passage ends in a longitudinal chamber 29, at the inner end of which is a needle valve opening 30, controlled by a needle valve and stem 31 and a suitable handle of typical construction, the said stem being packed against leakage by a gland 32 on the casting F it being understood, of course, that the handle of the said needle valve is located exteriorly of the end wall B of the structure A.

Suspended from the tubular extension 27 of the valve casting F is an air and gas mixer, shown in enlarged scale in Figs. 8 and 9, to which attention is now directed. The mixer comprises first a tubular shell 33 possessed of outstanding perforated ears 34 adapted to embrace the said extension 27 and screws 35 in said earsto fixedly engage said extension and render the shell 33 immovable. This shell is suspended at such a height that its axis will coincide with the axis of the needle valve opening 30 for reasons to be shown.

Adapted for slidable engagementwithin the .shell 33 are a plurality of annular cone shaped diaphragms 36, the axial opening in successive diaphragms progressively increasing in size; the one with the smallest opening being located nearest the needle valve opening 30 in a manner clearly seen in Fig. 8. The outer diameter of these diaphragms is decidedly less than the interior diameter of the tubular shell 33, and in order to render the same axial within said shell a plurality of legs 37 are formed on the periphery of each of said diaphragms; one of the legs on each of which is tapped for the reception of a screw 38, passing through a longitudinal slot 39 in the shell 33, so that the 0 several diaphragms may be adjusted longitudinally in said shell to proper position and then fixed in place by the screws 38. It will now be noted that the bases, as it were, of the cone shaped diaphragms all point toward the needle valve opening 30. And it may now be explained that the function of the, mixer as a whole is several fold. First, the flow of air to combine with the outflowing stream of gas from the opening 30, is facilitated. It is well known that this stream or spray diffuses as it leaves the opening 30 and becomes larger and larger in diameter and more rarefied as to density. For this reason the openings in the successive diaphragms are increased in diameter to permit the flow of the gas therethrough without impediment. The several diaphragms of conical shape are provided to permit the gas to take up air at several stages of rarefaction to produce a more perfeet mixture, the conical shape reducing air friction in an evident manner. But, important to the successful functioning of the mixing diaphragms is the inclosing shell 33. lVithout it, undue drafts or air currents have a tendency to induce a fback-fiash of the gas to the opening 30, but by the employment of this protecting shell such liability is entirely eliminated.

Suspended from the generating tube 25, by means of yokes 40 and 40 is a tubular gas chamber 41. This chamber is parallel to the generating tube 25 and is of even length therewith. It has one open and one tightly closed end, the open end of which is located adjacent to the mixer M, so that the mixed gas and air as it issues from the mixer flows directly into the gas chamber 41. At the upper periphery of said chamber, directly below the generating tube 25, is located a longitudinal slot 42 extending substantially the length of the gas chamber; and, this slot is covered by a wire gauze or other perforated material 43.

Located within the gas chamber 41 and proceeding the entire interior length thereof is a helical coil of wire 44, whereby when the gas and air enters the chamber the flow of the mixture will be converted into a helical whirl, not only speeding up the flow thereof to the far closed end of the chamber but also enforcing a more thorough commingling and intermingling of the mixture. Introduced within coil 44 intermediate its length is a gauze cup 45, for the purpose of partially breaking up this helical whirl so that a part of the mixture-will issue from the covering gauze near the mixer end 46 of the gas chamber, while the remainder of the said mixture will pass through the gauze cup 45 and issue from the far end portion of the gas chamber, perfect combustion taking place on the exterior of the gauze 43 along the entire length of the slot 42, and projecting intense heat against the generating tube 25 and thence against the arcuate portion of the back D of the heater, from whence it is deflected in the room. The gas chamber construction is-an important feature of our heater, and is the only structure to our knowledge which will effect perfect combustion of kerosene oil gas; and, the result is obtained by producing a helical whirl of the mixture; then partially breaking up this whirl, and then re-creating the same, so that the mixture is evenly distributed within the gas chamber and an outflow of even density throughout the length of the chamber secured.

In order to initially ignite the gaseous mixture, we provide a lighting cup 50, located directly below the needle valve casting F. Into this cup leads a small pipe 51 from the exterior of the heater, where it connects with a small supply tank 52 fixed to the end wall B at an elevation above the cup 50. This tank is filled with wood or denatured alcohol, the outflow of which is controlled by a valve 58 in the pipe 51.

The operation of our device may now be described as follows: Pump 21 is first actuated to create a suitable pressure in the tank 19 to force the kerosene oil therefrom into the generator tube 25, the interior of the extension 27, and into the passage 28 of the valve casting F. Valve 53 is now opened to permit the flow of alcohol into the lighting cup 50 and then closed. The alcohol is ignited and soon vaporizes the kerosene oil in the passage 28, after which the needle valve 30 is very slightly opened to permit the vaporized oil to pass through the mixer into the gas chamber. In a very short space of time combustion will begin at the gauze 48, after which continuous conversion of the kerosene into gas will take place in the generator tube 25. As this tube becomes very hot, heat is transmitted to the wires 25 within the tube aforesaid and gas generation assisted by reason of the extra heating surface afforded by the said wires. It will now be observed that the generation of intense heat. at the periphery of the gas chamber Will create a decided upward flow of cool air from the bottom compartment of our device, as already described, and that this air will be heated and projected into the room.

In Fig. 7 we indicate a slight modification in the construction of the gas chamber 41. In this instance we form integral helical vanes 54 within the gas chamber instead of introducing the helically coiled wire 44. Otherwise the construction is the same as that first disclosed.

In Fig. 10 we disclose a slight modification of the construction of the mixer M. In this case we provide a plain cylindrical shell 60 having a longitudinal slot 61. Each of the diaphragms is provided with an upstanding lug 62 having an aperture 63 and a set screw 64 entering said aperture. In this structure the diaphragms are first passed into the shell 60, with the lugs 62 projecting through the slot 61, after which the various lugs are passed over the extension 27 and adjusted in place by the set screws 64.

Attention is now directed to the fact that we may, if found desirable, extend the generating tube 25 to the valve casting F and screw the same into said casting, thereby eliminating the extension 27. In such cases the mixer M will naturally be suspended from the generating tube 25, instead of from the extension 27 in a manner readily comprehended.

We have hereinbefore disclosed the preferred mode of practising our invention, but we reserve the right to make such and any changes as might occur to one skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, or to make any and all such alterations as may be permitted under the doctrine of equivalents.

Having thus fully described our invention we claim as new, and desire to secure to ourselves by Letters Patent of the United States 1. A. device of the class described, including, in combination, a casing, said casing having an open front, there being an upper compartment, and a lower compartment in said casing; a perforated floor constructed to divide said easing into said upper and lower compartments; a fuel tank in said lower compartment; means constructed to permit of a circulation of air around said tank in said upper compartment; a fuel supply pipe; a gas generating tube in said upper compartment; a valve connected to said tube, and a tubular gas chamber beneath said tube, there being means of egress for gas from said chamber, and means for preheating said valve and said gas generating tube.

2. In combination, a liquid fuel tank; a fuel supply pipe; a gas generating tube connected to said supply pipe, said generating tube being disposed parallel to said fuel tank; a regulating valve, said regulating valve having an extension in connection with said generating tube; a mixing device, said mixmg device being constructed to supply 7 air to inf-lowing gas in a plurality of stages,

said mixing device being suspended from said extension; and a. tubular gas chamber suspended below said generating tube axially of said mixing device, there being gas outlets from said chamber.

3. In combination, a liquid fuel tank; a fuel supply pipe a gas generating tube connected to said supply pipe, said generating tube being disposed parallel to said fuel tank; a regulating valve, said regulating valve having an extension in connection with said generating tube; a mixing device, aid mixing device being constructed to supply air to inflowing gas in a plurality of stages, said mixing device being suspended from said extension; a tubular gas chamber suspended below said generating tube axially of said mixing device, there being gas outlets from said chamber, said chamber being provided with interior means constructed to produce a whirling motion in gases passing through said chamber, and with other means medially of said chamber constructed to retard the flow of said gases.

at. In combination, a liquid fuel tank a supply pipe arising therefrom, a gas generating tube connected to said supply pipe supported thereby and disposed parallel to said tank, there being means within said generating tube increasing the effective heating surface thereof, a needle valve in connection with said generating tube, a mixing device suspended from said needle valve, a gas chamber suspended from said generating tube, axially to said mixer, directly below said generating tube, and means for preheating said needle valve and generator tube.

In combination, a liquid fuel tank; a fuel supply pipe; a gas generating tube; a regulating valve; a mixing device, said mixing device being constructed to supply through-flowing gas with air in a plurality of stages; and a tubular gas chamber, said gas chamber having an outlet, said gas chamber being constructed with means to first produce a helical Whirl in the gas, then to partly break up said whirl, and then to reproduce said whirl.

6. In combination, a liquid fuel tank; a fuel supply pipe; a gas generating tube; a regulating valve; a mixing device, said mixing device being constructed to supply through-flowing gas with air in a plurality of stages, a tubular gas chamber, said gas chamber having an outlet, said gas chamber being constructed with means to first produce a helical whirl in the gas, then to partly break up said whirl, and then to reproduce said whirl, and means for preheating said regulating valve and said gas generating tube.

7. In combination, a liquid fuel tank; a fuel supply pipe; a gas generating tube; a regulating valve; a mixing device, said mixing device being constructed to supply air to through-flowing gas in a plurality of stages; a wind shield surrounding said mixer; a tubular gas chamber, said gas chamber having an outlet; a helical coil in said chamber, said coil being provided with a perforated cup, said coil being constructed to produce a helical whirl in the gases, said cup being constructed to partly break up said whirl.

S. In a device of the class described, a tank; a fuel supply pipe; a gas generating tube; a regulating valve; a mixer; a tubular gas chamber, said gas chamber having an outlet; means within said chamber constructed to impart a helical whirl to gases entering said chamber, and means constructed to partly break up said whirl intermediate the length of said chamber.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our invention, we have hereunto set our hands.

WVILLIAM J. GOLD. JOHN A. BOVYER.

Conic! 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents, Washington, D. 0. 

